The good thing is that you most likely won't be staying in the hospital. They'll do the procedure and then boot you out on the street. lol I've had 2 and that is what they did to me.

I don't know that there's much you can do besides picking a hospital that has good ratings.

Simply ask everyone coming in to treat you "Have you washed your hands?". I did this the last time my DH was in the hospital, and while I got a few snarky looks, they all then proceeded to wash their hands.

They probably had recently washed, and certainly after the last patient. But then they were handling charts and stuff at the desk, and they were dealing with open surgical wounds on DH. I wanted them to wash before and after, every single time. So they did.

About picking a hospital.......I have to look into this. For the past decade, I've been seeing a GYN nurse-practitioner. She consults with physicians in the practice, but I've never seen one. Immediately following a routine ultrasound, I developed symptoms that lead to the likelihood of a D&C. This practice uses one of the three local hospitals. A former patient told me this hospital was dirty. I don't know how much credence to put in that statement, but I do want to find out how to check its rating. And I also want to look into the possibility of a second opinion on my case. A D&C isn't a huge deal, but......

Interesting! Thanks!

I've been impressed with the experiences that both my husband and I have had in two different hospitals in my city. Lots and lots of handwashing or sanitizing. This has been true at the doctor's offices, too.

Be sure to take your own hand sanitizers, though stations seemed to be everywhere in the hospitals! Bring your own reading material, your own pens, etc.

D&C was easy..and quick in and out. I agree with asking all to wash hands, or watch when they come in to see if they put that stuff on (Our hospitals now have some foam stuff that they put on their hands to sanitize). I hope you don't live in MN, as nurses will probably strike soon, and you won't have this in the "near" future :-(

Vickey

My experience has been much like Rhizo's around here.

I think you are far more likely to pick something up by touching things and not washing your own hands than you are from hospital personnel. Avoid touching door knobs and armrests on chairs and wash your hands before eating or touching your face.

At the hospital I work at we have signs everywhere advising patients to ask their doctors/nurses etc. if they have washed their hands. I always make sure the patient sees me either drying my hands or slathering on washless antibacterial before I touch them. Gloves don't protect you (unless they are sterile gloves) they are for the practitioner's protection.

I would also take what your neighbor says with a grain of salt.

Unfortunately...many infections come from non-sanitary items used on patients(even in the OR), not the personnel. Especially needles. You should always try to make sure any needle that someone sticks you with is taken from a sealed package, right in front of you - otherwise, stop them.

In the link you'll find a good website that rates various aspects of the hospitals. Just choose some that come up in your area and hit 'compare'.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hospital search

My dr. advises NEVER to go to a hospital for anything that isn't absolutely necessary, and never stay a second longer than you absolutely have to. According to him, hospitals are some of the most dangerous places for germs. Since a D & C is generally an in-an-out procedure, have you looked into going to a surgical center instead of an actual hospital? I haven't heard of nearly the problems with infections at those--probably because the people there aren't as sick, and don't stay as long. My husband has had a couple of procedures in the surgical center across the street from the hospital, with no problems at all.

Also, you should probably discuss your fears with both your gyn, AND your gp (I'd put more credance on his/her advice and suggestions, since he's not involved in doing the procedure).

This post makes me laugh! Im sorry, I dont mean like its funny, it just strikes me funny. I was an infection control nurse for years and had teach alot of inservices on this. I cannot tell you how many times Ive had to "remind" personnel to wash their hands for their protection, too. It seems like since the advent of gloves, that alot less handwashing is taking place and that is unfortunate. When I was in the hospital, they would bring my clean water pitcher in the room while wearing gloves. How do I know where those gloves had been? Why wear gloves while doing a clean procedure? After that before they did anything to me or for me, I would say to them, excuse me but I need to wash my hands...that got em! Then they would wash their hands. Just a nice little reminder to them. Its ALL about handwashing and alot of it. Dont feel bad reminding them, and if they are offended , its okay as you will remain healthier that way! And call and make an appt to talk with their infection control nurse. Never hurts to know what their infection percentage is! The small local hospital I used to work in had a tough housekeeping dept. and surgical nurse and their infection rate was always less than 1 percent. And the nurses and staff were constantly washing their hands AND forearms. At the nursing home where I worked they could only use the sanitizer 3 times and then had to wash their hands. And good luck on your procedure!!

Forgot to mention, but you can also take some clorox wipes and keep things wiped down if something happens that concerns you. I keep a hospital bag packed with anything I might want and, there are clorox wipes in there "just in case" something makes me uncomfortable.

Make sure everyone who touches you has washed their hands. Don't let MDs intimidate you into not asking them to wash their hands first. Hopefully you won't have to stay overnight, because your risk of getting some kind of infection is higher the longer you are there.